TRADITIONS
GOOD FOR A WILDCAT FIRST DOWN! It was 1993 and the first year of the new $3.3 million press box. K-State’s public address announcer began what would become a K-State tradition. After a Wildcat first down, he would say, “Good for a Wildcat first down.” Throughout the 1993 season, the P.A. announcer did this ritual alone. However, at the beginning of the 1994 season the crowd started to join in on the catchy phrase and began to shout it with him. Now, with the addition of the first down and touchdown arm motions, K-State’s P.A. announcer no longer even needs to finish the phrase as the Wildcat fans finish it for him.
ROBINSON BREAKS COLOR BARRIER In 1948, Harold Robinson graduated from Manhattan High School and prepared to become Kansas State’s first black studentathlete. After sitting out the 1948 season as all freshmen were required, K-State head coach Ralph Graham in 1949 made Robinson the first African-American to receive an athletic scholarship in the Big Seven Conference. Robinson, who passed away in May of 2006, was named an All-Conference center in 1950, his junior season, despite playing for a 1-9-1 K-State team. Robinson gained the considerable respect of opponents and fans despite the smoldering racism that was so pervasive during his playing days. He wasn’t allowed to stay at the same hotel as his teammates on many road trips, instead staying in private residences. Hoyt Givens did not play in 1949, but joined Robinson on the varsity in 1950 as a non-scholarship player. Following Robinson as a barrier breaker in Big Seven baseball in 1952 was Earl Woods, the father of golf superstar Tiger Woods. Other K-Staters instrumental in breaking down the color barrier were Gene Wilson in basketball in 1952, Veryl Switzer, Norman Mills, Clifford Bizek and Herman Wilson in track in 1953 and Don Harris in tennis in 1952. Switzer earned All-America honors in football and went on to be the fourth player selected in the NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers in 1954.
“Good for a Wildcat...”
RING OF HONOR Kansas State started a new tradition in 2002, as the football program announced the inaugural Ring of Honor Class. The distinction is designed to recognize those in the football program who have distinguished themseleves on and off the field. Among the criteria considered is graduation from Kansas State with a studentathlete having been out of school for at least five years, quality of character, whether the person is an excellent representative of KState and whether a person has achieved performance that warrents consensus All-America level status at K- State.
KEN OCHS COURAGE AWARD Ken Ochs was a 6-foot, 208-pound long shot to make the KState football team in 1966. The La Crosse, Kan., native made the K-State team but suffered a leg injury during that spring’s drills. After his leg didn’t respond to treatment, it was discovered that Ochs had a malignant bone tumor. His leg was amputated six inches above the knee. Ochs returned to K-State and earned his degree in the spring of 1969. By then, he was a manager for the football team, and the program had named an honor for personal courage in his name. Ochs died of cancer Oct. 3, 1969.
Harley Day
HARLEY DAY A creation of former athletic director Max Urick and Catbacker Director Lon Floyd, Harley Day, is one of the most popular days of the year for Wildcat fans. Led by Willie Wildcat, Harley Day partic-
ipants, with their engines blaring, take the short ride around the playing surface of Bill Snyder Family Stadium, where they are greeted by a boisterous crowd.
GOLDEN CATS
Harold Robinson
One of the truly unique aspects of Kansas State football is the Golden Cats Program - a group of former K-State football players, managers, trainers, coaches and support staff who make contributions directly to the football program. The primary purpose is to bring together all of the past members of the football program, to provide opportunities for them to reunite and spend time with teammates of the past, support the student-athletes who presently represent their program and help unite Kansas State in a way never accomplished before. The Golden Cat program was developed in 1990 with each Golden Cat making a financial contribution to help assist with capital improvements related to football. The Golden Cat Club is the strongest team-sport support group at K-State. The club has provided strong financial assistance through the purchase of such things as weight equipment, rehab equipment and computers for the Academic Learning Center. For the Golden Cats, it’s a great opportunity to give back to the program, plus they can witness first-hand how their contributions have enhanced the opportunities of football student-athletes. In turn, the Golden Cats truly remain a part of the program, while receiving various privileges such as the brass name plates, pregame tailgate parties, Golden Cat clothing, video tapes, game program recognition and other memorabilia.
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